Quick Hit:

Traditional media voiced frustration as the DNC prioritizes TikTok influencers with prime seating at the Democratic National Convention, reducing workspace for legacy outlets.

Key Details:

• The DNC assigned 200 seats to social media influencers, constructing a special platform for them at the convention floor.
• Traditional media were left with only 47 press stand seats, far fewer than in past conventions.
• The decision has led to criticism from veteran journalists, citing a shift in focus from established press to influencer-driven coverage.

Diving Deeper:

According to the Washington Examiner, legacy media outlets are expressing growing frustration with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) after discovering that their traditional workspace at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago has been significantly reduced in favor of TikTok influencers. The DNC’s decision to prioritize social media personalities over established journalists has sparked backlash, highlighting tensions between the old and new media landscapes.

At the United Center, where Vice President Kamala Harris is set to accept her nomination, the DNC has credentialed 200 social media influencers, granting them front-row access through a newly constructed "creator platform." Meanwhile, traditional print and wire service media were allocated just 47 seats, a stark reduction compared to past conventions. By contrast, at the Republican National Convention last month, over 360 workspaces were made available to traditional press at the smaller Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

This move marks a significant departure from previous DNC conventions, where the media had ample space to work. Jonathan Salant, deputy managing editor for politics at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who is covering his 20th convention, noted, "Never has the press been given the type of seating that they have now. There’s always been plenty of space."

Journalists on the ground have voiced their displeasure, suggesting that the DNC's decision reflects a broader shift toward prioritizing social media reach over traditional news coverage. One veteran journalist remarked, "Basically, what they’re saying is, we think we can reach more people through influencers than we think through the traditional press."

Adding to the frustration is the DNC’s refusal to hold a press conference since Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee nearly a month ago. The Standing Committee of Correspondents, representing legacy media outlets, has raised concerns about the reduced access and workspace, which they argue will hinder journalists' ability to cover this historic event.

Despite the backlash, the DNC defended its decision, with a spokesperson stating that Democrats value a free press and are committed to ensuring that media members have the resources needed to report on the convention. However, the stark reduction in seating for traditional media, coupled with increased costs for workspace in adjacent facilities, has left many journalists feeling sidelined.